Health Violations Found IL 3 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Bowen

EPA ID: IL0670200 · 494 people served · 1 ZIP code

Within the EPA compliance database, Bowen shows 1 violation still pending resolution — a status that applies across the full service territory of approximately 494 people and reflects findings that have not yet cleared the federal enforcement process or received formal closure.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

C · 59
Avg Safety Score
494
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
3
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0016 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
1
Contaminants Flagged
$76K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Stable · Risk tier: High · 85% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 1 (2021) to 2 (2022). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Bowen Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$67,946
Median Household Income
873
Service Area Population
14%
Disadvantaged Population
60th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
89%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Bowen serves a community with a median household income of $67,946 and an estimated 873 residents across its service area. Approximately 89% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Bowen's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
30th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Hancock County, Illinois rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

72 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
0 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 100% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Bowen compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Illinois

Buckner
494 people
B 1 violation
0 violations
0 violations
0 violations
Ullin
496 people
B 2 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Water Filtration $600
Total Estimated Cost $1,800

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,500
10 years
$5,000
20 years
$10,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,800 (one-time) vs. $5,000 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Bowen (EPA ID: IL0670200) is a community water system in Illinois that serves approximately 494 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 62316 in Bowen.

Average Home Safety Score: C (59/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

3 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 1 remains unresolved.

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 3 Yes

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
62316 0.0016 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Bowen (IL0670200) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bowen water safe to drink?

Bowen has recorded 3 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Bowen serve?

Bowen serves approximately 494 people across 1 ZIP code in Illinois.

Where does Bowen get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
217
Confirmed Non-Lead

This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2025-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 494
Reported to Illinois

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Bowen safe to drink?
Bowen has a C safety grade based on 3 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Bowen's water?
Detected contaminants include Stage 1 DBP Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 1 contaminant above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Bowen serve?
Bowen serves approximately 494 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Bowen's water source?
Bowen draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Bowen's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0016 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Bowen's service area?
The Bowen service area has a median household income of $67,946. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Bowen get its water?
Bowen's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Bowen (EPA ID: IL0670200) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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